So I was able to travel with a somewhat more relaxed mind. I planned to use this lull to forge a few fake identification documents as well.
While I had obtained some identification when using the carriage service at the Gelbun lodgings before, those were temporary and would likely get me caught if anyone bothered to investigate properly.
'Climb must be seeing increased foot traffic around this time too.'
The destination where an artisan who crafted subspace magic tools supposedly resided was Climb, a city where the underworld was particularly active.
Climb was a haven for all sorts of businesses that precariously straddled the line between illegal and legal, including auction houses and gambling dens.
Naturally, there were many criminal organizations, and I had dealt with some of them before. All to dig up Lillia's past and somehow cause her harm.
'Ultimately I failed, though.'
Instead, the criminal organization got caught by Maksell and was completely wiped out.
I heard that not only that, but the organizations within the city were made to swear an oath never to interfere with central politics.
Despite all that, Climb remained a place where criminals wielded power legally.
It was a city that would surely be full of people who, upon seeing a monster appear, would try to capture it rather than flee in surprise.
I surveyed the deceptively peaceful-looking streets with my eyes and sent Nadav over to Xenon's side. He, who had been walking ahead to guide the way, turned to look at me in puzzlement.
"Is that magic tool artisan a criminal?"
"Pardon?"
"Climb is typically a place where many criminals live."
Xenon's eyes went round. He frowned as he looked around at the passersby, then lowered his voice to murmur.
"Ah... so there are many criminals here? As expected, even where he lives, he chose a place just like me."
It seemed the saying about their poor relationship wasn't just empty words.
"Did that guy swindle you out of money or something?"
"No. But he is a human who loves money. Ah, in that respect, he might get along with Lady Anelli."
Was he indirectly insulting me right now?
I looked at Xenon with a wry expression but agreed for now. It wasn't incorrect. If I could persuade him with money, that would make things much easier for me.
"If he's skilled, he'd sell other high-grade magic tools too, wouldn't he?"
"That fellow is a subspace magic tool artisan. Even if he knows how to make other things, he can't sell them."
"But this is Climb, and it's full of criminals."
The guess that this person, whose face and name I didn't even know, would be an illegal magic tool artisan seemed quite reasonable.
"You purchased so many magic tools, and you need more?"
"Half of what I bought was salvaged, and even that didn't have much that was useful. And if possible, I want to supplement Pallides' armor and helmet."
Pallides was currently accompanying us while pretending to be an ordinary knight. However, the helmet fixed with interwoven wire was completely hollow inside.
So if it received a strong impact, it would come off. Worried about that, I wanted to cast magic to make the helmet and armor fit together properly or find another solution if possible.
Xenon, catching on to my intent, glanced at Pallides with a puzzled look.
"If you receive the subspace magic tool anyway, won't everything be stored inside?"
"No, depending on the situation, I plan to bring one or two along."
"Huh? Why?"
"Because if I keep these ones together, they'll fight."
Xenon might not know, but my ears had been burning the entire way here.
The existing Nadav and Jigor were already full of personality, but the newly joined Tristan and Pallides were also quite peculiar fellows.
[Tristan! Have you lost your chivalry! Seducing butterflies while traveling!]
Just then, Nadav shouted at Tristan.
[To go beyond even species. You really are the worst rake.]
Jigor added spitefully.
Tristan, who I thought had momentarily slipped away, diligently flew back while retorting.
[Quiet down. These are all cooperative beings who will help the Captain later. Jigor, do you intend to only talk with your mouth forever? You were weak before, but even after becoming a Durahan, you just keep getting injured.]
[I'm almost fully healed! Soon I'll be able to use my wings and return to my original body! Don't cowardly stab with needles—let's fight fairly in our original forms!]
"Durahan? Why would you want to become such a grotesque thing?"
Pallides, who had been quietly accompanying us, recoiled as he looked between Jigor and Tristan. Nadav fluttered his wings and replied with a sigh-laden voice.
[Pallides, that's not for you to say.]
"Nadav, you're still so heartless! I'm so hurt..."
And I, who was hearing all of this conversation in full, truly wanted to cover my ears.
When it was just Nadav alone, things were so quiet and comfortable.
[The journey has become too noisy.]
Even Neshi, who couldn't stand listening anymore, joined in on the chatter, and the noise grew even louder. Despite saying it was noisy, he was naturally joining in, so he must secretly be enjoying the commotion.
"Ah, over there!"
Finally, Xenon stopped and pointed somewhere. Where his finger pointed was... not the suspicious-looking shop without a sign I had imagined the entire way here.
"There?"
"Yes, it's certain."
"...There?"
You mean that splendid mansion? That massive, imposing, luxurious-looking mansion that seemed like something only capital nobles would use?
"The address I received is definitely there."
Xenon approached the mansion's gate first. The gatekeepers seemed to verify something, and soon the iron-barred gate swung open.
Beyond it, the clean mansion building came into view at a glance. I even caught a glimpse of a well-tended garden landscape.
Seeing a building with such refined atmosphere for the first time in a while made my heart race. Though I had adapted to life on the road since becoming a wanderer, I had originally lived a glamorous life. That's to say, I certainly didn't dislike wealth and splendor.
'Not bad.'
...Perhaps I'll rent one of this mansion's spare rooms and stay the night today.
* * *
My small wish was fulfilled in an unexpected manner.
Upon entering, the maids assigned us rooms instead of showing us to a reception room, so I wondered what was happening...
"It's not finished?"
"I apologize."
The person who appeared before us was this mansion's butler. He was dealing with us under orders from the mansion's master, the magic tool artisan. Though he spun a long, polished explanation, the gist was that my subspace magic tool hadn't been made.
And I came specifically to make it in time for today.
Before I could even voice a complaint, Xenon rose from the sofa with an incredulous look.
"I need to see that bastard right now."
"The master is in his workshop. Meeting him is impossible until he emerges."
"He took all that money and you're telling me he didn't keep the deadline? Does that make sense?"
It was a rough expression, but entirely justified. I had even added extra money with fast completion in mind, so if the deal was broken like this, trust would inevitably decline.
"The master's work process is sensitive—if inspiration doesn't strike, he may undergo ascetic discipline for days..."
"He just didn't want to do it, kept putting it off, and probably only started working on it frantically now!"
"Please refrain from such disrespectful language."
"Do you think I don't know that man?"
Xenon raised his voice in indignation.
"Instead, the master has stated he will take full responsibility for your lodging until the work is complete."
While it was true I had thought about staying in this mansion, I hadn't wanted things to be delayed in this manner.
I glanced around the reception room. I didn't sense any signs of hidden forces.
Wondering if they might have figured out my identity and were trying to detain me, I scrutinized the butler's expression, but found nothing suspicious.
'Just in case, I should have Tristan seduce the insects around here to scout things out.'
Certainly, having more than three Durahans following me made things less burdensome. If I had only brought Nadav—or worse, come alone without even him—I would have been in quite a predicament.
"Also, he said that you certainly won't regret the quality, given the delay."
"Is a magic tool artisan making a proper magic tool something to be proud of? They should naturally do it well. What a thick-skinned human."
"No matter that you're Xenon, I cannot tolerate this any further."
"Ha... and who exactly is tolerating whom right now."
I rose to my feet while listening to their conversation.
"So how much more time is needed?"
"That is something only the master knows..."
Truly insufferable.
"Then I must go to the lord's castle immediately."
"Pardon?"
As I nonchalantly murmured and moved toward the reception room door, the butler asked back in bewilderment. Xenon also wore a puzzled expression, unable to understand my words.
I crossed my arms and stood at an angle, speaking calmly.
"I need to request notarization for dispute resolution. I need to calculate my wasted time and mental damages, and demand the return of my advance payment plus penalty fees."
"No, the item is being made, it just needs a bit more time..."
"Due to the seller's insincere attitude, I've lost trust. And I lament that this transaction cannot be safely guaranteed. Even if you bring the item tomorrow, how can you guarantee he didn't hastily make something that just looks the part while pressed for time?"
"You doubt the master's skill...!"
"Therefore, I will go to this region's lord's castle to request assistance. I'll let a third party determine whether my faith is too flimsy or the seller's attitude is abnormal."
Xenon, who had been watching me with his mouth agape, glanced at the butler and slowly moved toward my side. I smiled gently at the speechless butler.
"A good imperial citizen must rely on such transaction protection laws, after all. If necessary, we'll settle matters in court later."
A good imperial citizen, my foot. Naturally, it was all lies and bluff.
But the butler, who had no way of knowing that I was being pursued or that I had absolutely no intention of going anywhere near a court or nobles, looked troubled.
"Looking at someone who's clearly hiding their face and wandering around, talking about courts..."
Suddenly, the presence of another person that hadn't been felt appeared in the reception room. Near the door. I struggled not to show my surprise as I looked at the newcomer.
"It's so noisy I can't work."